How long do white composite fillings last for?

Question

I chipped my front tooth when I was 11 years old and had to have a white composite filling to fill in the chip. I had a root canal done when I was 16 and they cahnged the filling and I'm 19 now and still have the same filling so it's laster 13 years. I never use my front tooth to bite into anything so perhaps that is why it's lasting so long? Has anyone heard of a filling to last so long?

I meant to say that I'm 29 now not 19 funny me!

Ok, thanks for your answers. Sorry my typing was all over the place when I was asking the question.

I am infact 29 now and I've had the white composite filling for 13 years.

Answer 1

I've got a couple of composite fillings in my molars, they've lasted well over 5 years now with no problems indicated by regular check ups and x-rays.

Answer 2

Composite filling workk best where they are subjected to low forces - this is largely why they work better in front teeth than back teeth. Your's isn't exceptional.

Composite also works best where the tooth is really dry before the material is bonded into place which again makes it better at the front of the mouth where moisture control is more predictable.

The great thing about using a composite to build up a fron tooth is that you attach the material straight onto the tooth. If you have a crown then the tooth neeeds to be prepared and this weakens the tooth.

If your composite starts to discolour it is pretty easy to skim a little off the surface and refresh the surface with a layer of new composite.

Answer 3

You're really lucky!

I have white composite fillings in my front teeth and they need to be renewed every two to three years - and I don't really use my front teeth to chew, either. Some of the fillings didin't even last a day. The newest one is now 20 months old and is quite crumbly, I can actually already move it. The others are still acceptable, but I wouldn't give them another year.

I'm 28 and have visited at least five different dentists, so it can't be their fault. Asked for a different option, but they said the filling is not big enough ... life's a *****.

Answer 4

a dentist cant give an exact time on anything in dentistry, the only thing they can do is to give you a guarantee, which usually with a composite filling is a year. so you have done very well with this filling :) if you start to notice the colour is changing you can always go and have it r-done or have another persuader done now that u are older.

Answer 5

I have got 6 white fillings in my back teeth and 5 of them have been there nearly 20 years the other one has been there nearly 12 years

Answer 6

I was about the same age when I had to have my front 2 teeth filled with white fillings, I'm now 31yrs old and they've lasted the time with no sign of repair needed.

Answer 7

Can last anything from 30 seconds to 30 years, but average is five to eight years.

Yes have placed plenty of fillings that have lasted that long

Answer 8

hey it depends they could last you 5 year + but i dont think they will last forever, the glue normally stops holding the filling after about 6 or 7 years so it just depends if you use the teeth with the filling to chew then less....
silver fillings may look gross but they work the best

Answer 9

That's a good question...I have a bunch of ceramic fillings and am anxious to hear some answers.

Answer 10

Unfortunately they don't last as long as the metal ones.........in fact, you have to be careful and make sure you check them often...............one of mine eroded away over time and I ended up getting so much decay, I had to get a damn root canal. Good luck!